Friday, July 20, 2007

Mascara Tips and Tricks

Tip #1: How to use a lash comb. For some, lash combs are simply too fussy. But for some makeup artists, they're a great invention & keep lashes glob-free & perfectly separated. So how to use? Apply mascara at the lash base, wiggling the brush & then comb the mascara to the tips of your lashes. Not into the lash comb? Get rid of clumbs without them by removing excess mascara from the wand. Wipe wand on tissue, this eliminates blobs BEFORE you start.Tip #2: Try a clean mascara wand. Sweep a clean, fresh mascara wand through lashes when they're wet. Don't worry, you don't have to buy them. When you finish a mascara, clean the wand in a capful of eye makeup remover, then wash with soap & dry. Keep it clean by washing it whenever you wash your makeup tools.Tip #3: Don't shy away from colored mascara. Basic mascara rules are simple: Black works for everyone but blondes. Blondes should opt for brown/black by day & reserve black for night. Blue mascara, however, can brighten blue eyes, purple mascara can make brown eyes pop. The most popular mascara sold in the US is Maybelline Great Lash mascara, a great buy at under $6. The company estimates 1 tube is sold every 1.6 seconds in the U.S.

Tip #4: When applying mascara, wiggle the wand at the base of the lashes. It's the mascara placed near the roots (not the tips) that gives the illusion of length.Tip #5: Thin, short brushes are best. A thinner brush allows you to get into the corner of eyes. Short brushes give you more control.

Tip #6: Give a few coats to the edges by blinking. Blink onto the brush to give ends an extra coat.Tip #7: Powder under the eye before applying mascara. Sometimes mascara smudges because it's attracted to oily concealer or eye creams.Tip #8: Use an eyelash curler BEFORE applying mascara. Curling lashes gives eyes the appearance of being wider & brighter. Shoot hot air from your blowdryer on the mascara curler for 3-5 seconds to warm it up before curling lashes. Touch it first to make sure it's not TOO hot. Shu Uemura makes the most popular eyelash curler on the market ($18-$22).Tip #9: Zig-zag the wand. Zig-zagging the wand back & forth during application helps cut down clumps.Tip #10: For a dramatic look, apply mascara only to the upper lashes. To make eyes seem wider, apply to the bottom, too. But make sure you give lashes a light touch. Not great at getting those bottom lashes? Try putting a tissue under them before application.Tip #11: Use a mascara primer. Primers coat lashes & separate them before you apply mascara. Makeup artists swear by this relatively new inventionTip #12: Want that 2nd coat? Just make sure to do it before the first coat dries, otherwise you'll get clumps.Tip #13: Do NOT pump wand in & out of the tube. This only introduces air into the tube, which will cause your mascara to dry out sooner than it should.Tip #14: Another smudge-proof tip -- bend the wand. A top makeup artist once gave his secret to his steady hand: he always bends his wand at a right angle.Tip #15: Wait 5 seconds before blinking. You don't want to paint your lids, do you?